[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 1, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12909-12910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04168]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 40 / Wednesday, March 1, 2023 / 
Notices  

[[Page 12909]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2023-0002]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Export Certification: Accreditation of Nongovernment 
Facilities

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment 
request.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's 
intention to request an extension of approval of an information 
collection associated with accrediting nongovernment facilities to 
perform services related to the export of plants or plant products.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before May 
1, 2023.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. 
Enter APHIS-2023-0002 in the Search field. Select the Documents tab, 
then select the Comment button in the list of documents.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2023-0002, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
    Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may 
be viewed at regulations.gov or in our reading room, which is located 
in room 1620 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence 
Avenue SW, Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is 
there to help you, please call (202) 799-7039 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on accrediting 
nongovernment facilities to perform plant related export services, 
contact Ms. Sarika Negi, Accreditation and Certification Policy 
Manager, Phytosanitary Issues Management, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, 
Unit 140, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851-2349; [email protected]. 
For information on the information collection process, contact Mr. 
Joseph Moxey, APHIS Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, at (301) 851-
2483; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Export Certification: Accreditation of Nongovernment 
Facilities.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0130.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), 
among other things, provides export certification services to assure 
other countries that the plants and plant products they are receiving 
from the United States are free of plant pests specified by the 
receiving country. This activity is authorized by the Plant Protection 
Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.).
    The export certification regulations, which are contained in 7 CFR 
part 353, describe the procedures for obtaining certification for 
plants and plant products offered for export or reexport. Our 
regulations do not require that we engage in export certification 
activities; however, we perform this work as a service to exporters who 
are shipping plants or plant products to countries that require 
phytosanitary certification as a condition of entry.
    After assessing the condition of the plants or plant products 
intended for export (i.e., after conducting a phytosanitary 
inspection), an inspector will issue an internationally recognized 
phytosanitary certificate or a phytosanitary certificate for reexport. 
An important component of the certification process, when required, is 
laboratory testing of plant or plant product samples.
    The regulations allow nongovernment facilities (such as commercial 
laboratories and private inspection services) to be accredited by APHIS 
to perform specific laboratory testing or phytosanitary inspections 
that could serve as the basis for issuing Federal phytosanitary 
certificates or phytosanitary certificates for reexport. The 
accreditation process requires the use of several information 
collection activities to ensure that nongovernment facilities applying 
for accreditation possess the necessary qualifications. These 
activities include the application for accreditation; agreement for 
fulfilling accreditation procedures; documentation of equipment; 
quality manual or equivalent documentation; identity of personnel and 
subcontractor's qualifications; notification of changes in personnel; 
report of changes in location, ownership, physical plant equipment or 
other conditions; appeal of denial of accreditation by APHIS and 
request for hearing; appeal of withdrawal of accreditation by APHIS and 
request for hearing; written request to eliminate accreditation status; 
and documentation of the corrective action.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of these information collection activities for an additional 3 
years.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
(as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. 
These comments will help us:
    (1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, 
electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of responses.
    Estimate of burden: The public burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 3.87 hours per response.

[[Page 12910]]

    Respondents: U.S. growers, shippers, exporters, and State and local 
plant health regulatory authorities.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 9.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 6.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 54.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 209 hours. (Due to 
averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of 
the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per 
response.)
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 23rd day of February 2023.
Anthony Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-04168 Filed 2-28-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P